Fertilizer bag



Patented Apr. 7, 1936 PATENT OFFICE FERTILIZER BAG Levi Jack Pettett, Lockland, Joseph Reese Brown,

Wyoming, and Harold Newcombe Mills, Cincinnati, Ohio No Drawing. Application May 9, 1934, Serial No. 724,758

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to improved fertilizer bags and, more particularly, to chemically-treated bags for fertilizers and to a method of producing the same.

Heretofore, it is well known that bags, especially those made from burlap, containing newly made superphosphates or mixed fertilizers failed in service and in storage due to the deterioration of fibers and the disintegration caused the splitting of affected bags, the occurrence of holes therein, and the failure and damaging thereof in divers ways. The loss, annoyance and trouble caused by the failure of fertilizer bags has stimulated those skilled in the art to investigate the problem in an endeavor to find a solution. Many attempts have been made to provide the art with fertilizer bags which will function satisfactorily in use and which will overcome the disadvantages of the customary and ordinary bags. These attempts had objections, the more serious of which were the attempts at treating the bags with dry alkaline materials. This method proved Very unsatisfactory for the reason that bags were made to have a very unsightly appearance, printing thereon partially and sometimes almost totally obliterated. Also subsequent handling of bags treated in this manner resulted in the alkaline material dusting from the bags with result that the alkaline material was discharged in atmosphere creating an almost impossible working condition for operators.

Also bags having loose paper lining are very unsatisfactory for the reason that the loose paper lining quickly disintegrates and subsequent handling results in the paper breaking in small pieces and becoming mixed with the contents of bag which greatly reduces sale value of the product.

Lined bags (especially asphalted cemented paper) and containers have been employed, but

they were very expensive, not only in price paid but also much more expensive to handle and fill due to the stiff, unyielding structure. None of the proposals, as far as is known, has been wholly successful and satisfactory in actual commercial and industrial use.

We have discovered a fertilizer bag which is free from the disadvantages and short comings of prior bags and which is practically immune to deterioration by newly made superphosphates and mixed fertilizers.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a chemically-treated fertilizer bag which is capable of holding superphosphates and mixed fertilizers and which is capable of lasting satisfactorily for practically an indefinite period.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved bag which eliminates the necessity of purchasing and using expensive lined bags and which effects a considerable saving and economy over the use of such lined bags. 5

The invention also contemplates the provision of a simple, efiicient and practical method of chemically treating fertilizer bags which can be carried into practice on a commercial and industrial scale very economically.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

Broadly stated the invention contemplates the treating of bags with an alkaline solution. The treatment is preferably continued until the entire fibrous material constituting the bags is saturated with the alkaline solution. After treatment, the excess solution is removed from the bags. If desired, the alkaline-treated bags may be immediately filled with fertilizers such as superphosphate mixed fertilizers, etc. Of course, if it is desired, the bags may be dried. In place of treating the finished bags, it is possible to treat the fibrous material or the cloth from which the H bags are made.

For a better understanding of the invention by those skilled in the art, the following illustrative example will be given.

In carrying the invention into practice on an industrial scale, the method of treating the fertilizer bags comprises impregnating the bags with an alkaline solution. The impregnation may be carried out in any suitable manner. Thus, for instance, the bags may be mechanically or man- 35 ually dipped into a vat filled with a solution of say 10%, 15% or 20% or more of sal soda (NazCOslDHzO). Instead of using sal soda any other material such as soda ash (NazCOs), lye, sodium-hydroxide, etc., may be used. It is preferred to maintain a float in the vat to keep the bags near the surface of the solution. For general purposes, the solution may be used at room temperature but it is preferred to operate at about to F. 45

After the bags are thoroughly impregnated with an alkaline solution, which usually takes about three minutes to five minutes per batch of one hundred bags, the soaked bags are passed 50 through wringers. These wringers may be mechanically or manually operated to remove as much of the excessive moisture as possible. If desired, the bags may be immediately filled with superphosphate or other fertilizer even though the bags are wet. If desired, the bags are dried and are then used.

Generally speaking, burlap is used for themaking of fertilizer bags. In the event that the present method is to be utilized on a large'scale,

it is preferred to treat the burlap before manufacturing bags from the same. In this manner, the carrying out of the present invention'into practice will, be facilitated, The treated burlap,

has the sameresisting qualities against attack from superphosphates, mixed fertilizers, etc., as the'treatedbags. Bags which have been made from treated burlap have been found to hold the fertilizer satisfactorily and to have lasting with the principle of the present invention, a vat 7 qualities for practically an indefinite period.

, When burlap is to be treated, in accordance or tank of sufficient dimensions,fourteen cubic feet is provided to hold a suitable quantity, say

one hundred gallons of an alkaline solution, such as 10%, or more of sal soda solution.

The burlap bales are placed at one end of the vet at which point the ends of the burlap are sewn together. For convenience, the burlap is passed over, under and/or around rollers mounted in the vatand drawn through the alkaline solution by mechanical, manual or suitable means'at a passed overa drum or drums for drying. It is preferred to operate these drums mechanically as those skilled in the art will readily understand; In practice, the drums may be heated in any convenient manner. For instance, the drums may be heated by steam or by direct firingor by electricity. As soon as the burlap is dried, it

may be baled,'cut or folded in any desired manner and may then be utilized for the manufacture I of fertilizer bags.

We claim:

1.The process of treating bags for fertilizer including superphosphates, mixed fertilizers and the like which comprises impregnating an unfilled I bag with a solution of sodium carbonate.

2. The process of treating bags for fertilizer including superphosphates, mixed fertilizers and the like which comprises passing bagging through a solution of sodium carbonate to impregnate the fibers of said bagging, keeping the bagging in contact with the solution to practically saturate the fibers of said bagging, and removing the excess solutionfrom said impregnated bagging;

3. The'process of treating bags for fertilizer including superphosphates, mixed fertilizers and the like which comprises passing bagging through I a, solution of sodium carbonate at a temperature of about F. to about F., to impregnate the fibers of said bagging, keeping the bagging in contact with the solution to practically satu rate the fibers of said bagging, and removing the excess solution from said impregnated bagging.

4. A bag for fertilizer including superphos phates, mixed fertilizers and the like impregnated with a solution of sodiumcarbonate. I LEVI JACK PE'I'IE'II'.'

JOSEPH REESE BROWN. HAROLD NEWCOMBE MILLS, 

